Fundamental rights

The European Forum on the rights of the child is an annual conference organised by the European Commission. It gathers key actors from EU Member States, Ombudspersons for children, international organisations, NGOs, practitioners, academics and EU institutions to discuss and promote good practice on the rights of the child.

Tackling discrimination

The European Platform for Roma Inclusion aims to contribute to making European and national policies more sensitive to Roma needs. The 2016 European Platform for Roma inclusion will provide the possibility for participatory interaction among all types of stakeholders of Roma integration (including national and local authorities of the EU Member States and enlargement countries, international organisations, European institutions, representatives of European and national Roma and pro-Roma civil society, media and academia) on topics that are particularly relevant at the midterm of the EU Framework of National Roma Integration Strategies up to 2020. The central thematic focus of the 10th European Platform for Roma Inclusion will be on mutual accountability of all stakeholders.

Effective justice

The European Day of Justice will be celebrated on 25 October 2016. The initiative aims to bring justice closer to all European citizens, by informing them on their rights and of the available tools in place for facilitating access to cross-border justice, as well as raise awareness of EU law among legal professionals through communication and other related activities across the EU Member States.

Tackling discrimination

The European Commission and Department of Justice and Equality of Ireland in collaboration with Irish Diversity Charter are co-organising this year’s Annual Forum to promote diversity management at the workplace.

Consumer policy

The European Commission's Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers hosted the 2016 edition of the European Consumer Summit: "EU consumer law: still fit for purpose? Achievements and challenges", on 17 October 2016 in Brussels.

EU citizenship and free movement

Contract law

Emerging aspects in the area of digitisation are key issues in the new industrial revolution. Within less than a decade, most economic activities will strongly depend on digital ecosystems integrating big data solutions. The Commission has recognised the importance of the data economy in the DSM Strategy as a catalyst for economic growth. Under the third pillar of the DSM Strategy (‘‘Maximising the growth potential of the Digital Economy’’) the Commission committed to propose in 2016 a European Free Flow of Data initiative to tackle the emerging challenges in the European Data Economy.

Civil Justice

Consumer policy

The OECD "Global Awareness-raising Campaign on Window Covering Cords" (23 to 30 June 2016) aims at informing consumers of the risks posed by unsafe window coverings, which are still in use in millions of European homes today.

Criminal Justice

Consumer policy

[i]Consumers should be aware of their rights under EU law so they can use them every day, when shopping online or on the high street. That's why the European Commission has organised a campaign informing citizens of their rights under EU consumer law and pointing them to the right places where they can get advice and help in case of questions or problems.[/i]

EU citizenship and free movement

A hearing will be jointly organised by the European Commission (DG Justice and Consumers) and the European Parliament (LIBE, PETI, AFCO and JURI Committees) on 15 March 2016. This constitutes a timely opportunity to further reflect, with all actors concerned, on concrete avenues to advance EU citizenship in this context. The objective of the hearing will be to look at ways of simplifying and facilitating the exercise of EU citizens' rights in their daily life, as well as to promote our common values and democratic participation.

Consumer policy

Tackling discrimination

The European Commission, Directorate General for Justice and Consumers is to host a series of media seminars throughout Europe to bring together journalists, local authorities and representatives of Roma communities. The aim is to develop closer communication between reporters, communities, local authorities and organisations to highlight steps being taken to end discrimination against Europe’s largest minority.